School Vocabulary

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adversary

adversary |ˈadvərˌserē|

noun (pl. adversaries)

one's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute: Davis beat his old adversary in the quarterfinals.

aplomb

aplomb |əˈpläm, əˈpləm|

noun

self-confidence or assurance, esp. when in a demanding situation: Diana passed the test with aplomb.

apprehensive

apprehensive |ˌapriˈhensiv|

adjective

anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen: he felt apprehensive about going home | [ with clause ] : they were apprehensive that something might go wrong.

aptitude

aptitude |ˈaptiˌt(y)o͞od|

noun

(often aptitude for) a natural ability to do something: he had a remarkable aptitude for learning words.

• a natural tendency: his natural aptitude for failure.

attentive

attentive |əˈtentiv|

adjective

paying close attention to something: never before had she had such an attentive audience | Congress should be more attentive to the interests of taxpayers.

• assiduously attending to the comfort or wishes of others; very polite or courteous: the hotel has a pleasant atmosphere and attentive service.

banish

banish |ˈbaniSH|

verb [ with obj. ]

send (someone) away from a country or place as an official punishment: they were banished to Siberia for political crimes.

• forbid, abolish, or get rid of (something unwanted): it's perfectly feasible to banish the smoke without banning smoking | all thoughts of romance were banished from her head.

barricade

barricade |ˈbariˌkād|

noun

an improvised barrier erected across a street or other thoroughfare to prevent or delay the movement of opposing forces.

verb [ with obj. ]

block or defend with an improvised barrier: he barricaded the door with a bureau | (as adj. barricaded) : the heavily barricaded streets.

• shut (oneself or someone) into a place by blocking all the entrances: detainees who barricaded themselves into their dormitory.

bluff

bluff 1 |bləf|

noun

an attempt to deceive someone into believing that one can or will do something: the offer was denounced as a bluff | his game of bluff.

verb [ no obj. ]

try to deceive someone as to one's abilities or intentions: he's been bluffing all along | he bluffed his way onto an Antarctic supply vessel | [ with obj. ] : the object is to bluff your opponent into submission.

• (in a card game) bet heavily on a weak hand in order to deceive opponents.

bluff 2 |bləf|

noun

a steep cliff, bank, or promontory.

brackish

brackish |ˈbrakiSH|

adjective

(of water) slightly salty, as is the mixture of river water and seawater in estuaries.

• (of fish or other organisms) living in or requiring brackish water.

• unpleasant or distasteful: the lighting in the movie is brackish.

brandish

brandish |ˈbrandiSH|

verb [ with obj. ]

wave or flourish (something, esp. a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement.

circumference

circumference |sərˈkəmf(ə)rəns| (abbr.: cir., circ., or circum.)

noun

the enclosing boundary of a curved geometric figure, esp. a circle.

• the distance around something: babies who have small head circumferences | two inches in circumference.

commotion

commotion |kəˈmōSHən|

noun

a state of confused and noisy disturbance: she was distracted by a commotion across the street | figure out what all the commotion is about.

• civil insurrection: damage caused by civil commotion.

concoction

concoction |kənˈkäkSHən|

noun

a mixture of various ingredients or elements: a concoction of gables, shingles, stained glass, and towers inspired by English medieval houses.

• an elaborate story, esp. a fabrication: her story is an improbable concoction.

conspicuous

conspicuous |kənˈspikyo͞oəs|

adjective

standing out so as to be clearly visible: he was very thin, with a conspicuous Adam's apple.

• attracting notice or attention: he showed conspicuous bravery.

contort

contort |kənˈtôrt|

verb

twist or bend out of its normal shape: [ with obj. ] : a spasm of pain contorted his face | [ no obj. ] : her face contorted with anger | (as adj. contorted) : contorted limbs | figurative : a contorted version of the truth.

counter (verb)

counter |ˈkountər|

verb [ with obj. ]

speak or act in opposition to: the second argument is more difficult to counter.

• [ no obj. ] respond to hostile speech or action: “What would you like me to do about it?” she countered.

• [ no obj. ] Boxing give a return blow while parrying: he countered with a left hook.

cunning

cunning |ˈkəniNG|

adjective

1 having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion: a cunning look came into his eyes.

• refuse or reject (something) out of feelings of pride or superiority: she remained standing, pointedly disdaining his invitation to sit down | [ with infinitive ] : he disdained to discuss the matter further.

dismal

dismal |ˈdizməl|

adjective

depressing; dreary: the dismal weather made the late afternoon seem like evening.

• (of a person or a mood) gloomy: his dismal mood was not dispelled by finding the house empty.

• informal pitifully or disgracefully bad: he shuddered as he watched his team's dismal performance.

dispel

dispel |disˈpel|

verb (dispels, dispelling, dispelled) [ with obj. ]

make (a doubt, feeling, or belief) disappear: the brightness of the day did nothing to dispel Elaine's dejection.

eavesdrop

eavesdrop |ˈēvzˌdräp|

verb (eavesdrops, eavesdropping, eavesdropped) [ no obj. ]

secretly listen to a conversation: she opened the window just enough to eavesdrop on the conversation outside.

egregious

egregious |iˈgrējəs|

adjective

1 outstandingly bad; shocking: egregious abuses of copyright.

ember

ember |ˈembər|

noun (usu. embers)

a small piece of burning or glowing coal or wood in a dying fire: the dying embers in the fireplace | figurative : the flickering embers of nationalism.

emerge

emerge |iˈmərj|

verb [ no obj. ]

move out of or away from something and come into view: black ravens emerged from the fog.

• become apparent, important, or prominent: Philadelphia has emerged as the clear favorite | (as adj. emerging) : a world of emerging economic giants.

• (of facts or circumstances) become known: reports of a deadlock emerged during preliminary discussions | [ with clause ] : during the trial it emerged that she had been suffering from a rare personality disorder.

• recover from or survive a difficult or demanding situation: the economy has started to emerge from recession.

• (of an insect or other invertebrate) break out from an egg, cocoon, or pupal case.

engross

engross |enˈgrōs|

verb [ with obj. ]

absorb all the attention or interest of: the notes totally engrossed him.

• archaic gain or keep exclusive possession of (something): the country had made the best of its position to engross trade.

exasperation

exasperation |igˌzaspəˈrāSHən|

noun

a feeling of intense irritation or annoyance: she rolled her eyes in exasperation.

exhilarate

exhilarate |igˈziləˌrāt|

verb

make (someone) feel very happy, animated, or elated: the children were exhilarated by a sense of purpose | (as adj. exhilarated) : all this hustle and bustle makes me feel exhilarated.

falter

falter |ˈfôltər|

verb [ no obj. ]

start to lose strength or momentum: her smile faltered and then faded | (as adj. faltering) : his faltering career.

• move unsteadily or in a way that shows lack of confidence: he faltered and finally stopped in midstride.

foresight

foresight |ˈfôrˌsīt|

noun

the ability to predict or the action of predicting what will happen or be needed in the future: he had the foresight to check that his escape route was clear.

fragrance

fragrance |ˈfrāgrəns|

noun

a pleasant, sweet smell: the fragrance of fresh-ground coffee | the bushes fill the air with fragrance.

• a perfume or aftershave.

furtive

furtive |ˈfərtiv|

adjective

attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive: they spent a furtive day together | he stole a furtive glance at her.

• suggestive of guilty nervousness: the look in his eyes became furtive.

grueling or gruelling

grueling |ˈgro͞oəliNG|

adjective

extremely tiring and demanding: a grueling schedule.

gusto

gusto |ˈgəstō|

noun (pl. gustos or gustoes)

enjoyment or vigor in doing something; zest: she sang it with gusto.

• [ in sing. ] archaic a relish or liking: he had a particular gusto for those sort of performances.

habitation

habitation |ˌhabiˈtāSHən|

noun

the state or process of living in a particular place: signs of human habitation.

• formal a place in which to live; a house or home.

hasten

hasten |ˈhāsən|

verb [ no obj., with infinitive ]

be quick to do something: he hastened to refute the assertion.

• [ with adverbial of direction ] move or travel hurriedly: we hastened back to Paris.

• [ with obj. ] cause (something) to happen sooner than it otherwise would: a move that could hasten peace talks.

headway

headway |ˈhedˌwā|

noun

1 (usu. in phrase make headway) move forward or make progress, esp. when circumstances make this slow or difficult: the ship was making very little headway against heavy seas | they appear to be making headway in bringing the rebels under control.

ignite

ignite |igˈnīt|

verb

catch fire or cause to catch fire: [ no obj. ] : furniture can give off lethal fumes when it ignites | [ with obj. ] : sparks flew out and ignited the dry scrub.

• [ with obj. ] arouse or inflame (an emotion or situation): the words ignited new fury in him.

illuminate

illuminate |iˈlo͞oməˌnāt|

verb

1 [ with obj. ] light up: a flash of lightning illuminated the house | figurative : his face was illuminated by a smile.

• decorate (a building or structure) with lights for a special occasion.

2 (often as adj. illuminated) decorate (a page or initial letter in a manuscript) with gold, silver, or colored designs.

3 (usu. as adj. illuminating) help to clarify or explain (a subject or matter): a most illuminating discussion.

impending

impending

adjective

imminent, close (at hand), near, nearing, approaching, coming, forthcoming, upcoming, to come, on the way, about to happen, in store, in the offing, on the horizon, in the air/wind, brewing, looming, threatening, menacing; informal coming down the pike, in the cards.

innovation

innovation |ˌinəˈvāSHən|

noun

the action or process of innovating.

• a new method, idea, product, etc.: technological innovations designed to save energy.

imperious

imperious |imˈpi(ə)rēəs|

adjective

assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering: his imperious demands.

jabber

jabber |ˈjabər|

verb [ no obj. ]

talk rapidly and excitedly but with little sense: he jabbered away to his friends.

noun

fast, excited talk that makes little sense: stop your jabber.

jargon

jargon 1 |ˈjärgən|

noun

special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand: legal jargon.

• a form of language regarded as barbarous, debased, or hybrid.

jostle

jostle |ˈjäsəl|

verb [ with obj. ]

push, elbow, or bump against (someone) roughly, typically in a crowd: passengers arriving and departing, jostling one another | [ no obj. ] : people jostled against us.

extend out, over, or beyond the main body or line of something: a rock jutted out from the side of the bank.

• [ with obj. ] cause (something, such as one's chin) to protrude: she put up her head and jutted out her chin with determination.

noun

a point that sticks out.

kindle

kindle 1 |ˈkindl|

verb [ with obj. ]

light or set on fire.

• arouse or inspire (an emotion or feeling): a love of art was kindled in me.

• [ no obj. ] (of an emotion) be aroused: she hesitated, suspicion kindling within her.

• [ no obj. ] become impassioned or excited: the young man kindled at once.

knoll

knoll |nōl|

noun

a small hill or mound.

luminous

luminous |ˈlo͞omənəs|

adjective

full of or shedding light; bright or shining, esp. in the dark: the luminous dial on his watch | a luminous glow | figurative : her eyes were luminous with joy.

• (of a color) very bright; harsh to the eye: he wore luminous green socks.

malleable

malleable |ˈmalyəbəl, ˈmalēə-|

adjective

(of a metal or other material) able to be hammered or pressed permanently out of shape without breaking or cracking.

• easily influenced; pliable: Anna was shaken enough to be malleable.

materialize

materialize |məˈti(ə)rēəˌlīz|

verb [ no obj. ]

1 (of a ghost, spirit, or similar entity) appear in bodily form.

• [ with obj. ] cause to appear in bodily or physical form.

2 become actual fact; happen: the assumed savings may not materialize.

• appear or be present: the train didn't materialize.

meander (verb)

meander |mēˈandər|

verb [ no obj. ]

(of a river or road) follow a winding course: a river that meandered gently through a meadow.

• (of a person) wander at random: kids meandered in and out.

• (of a speaker or text) proceed aimlessly or with little purpose: a stylish offbeat thriller which occasionally meanders.

meticulous

meticulous |məˈtikyələs|

adjective

showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise: he had always been so meticulous about his appearance.

misgiving

misgiving |misˈgiviNG|

noun (usu. misgivings)

a feeling of doubt or apprehension about the outcome or consequences of something: we have misgivings about the way the campaign is being run | I felt a sense of misgiving at the prospect of retirement.

momentum

momentum |mōˈmentəm, mə-|

noun (pl. momenta |-tə| or momentums)

1 Physics the quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as a product of its mass and velocity.

2 the impetus gained by a moving object: the vehicle gained momentum as the road dipped.

• the impetus and driving force gained by the development of a process or course of events: the investigation gathered momentum in the spring.

monotonous

monotonous |məˈnätn-əs|

adjective

dull, tedious, and repetitious; lacking in variety and interest: the statistics that he quotes with monotonous regularity.

• (of a sound or utterance) lacking in variation in tone or pitch: soon we heard a low, monotonous wailing of many voices.

multitude

multitude |ˈməltəˌt(y)o͞od|

noun

a large number: a multitude of medical conditions are due to being overweight.

• (the multitudes) large numbers of people: the multitudes using the roads.

• (the multitude) a large gathering of people: Father Peter addressed the multitude.

• (the multitude) the mass of ordinary people without power or influence: placing ultimate political power in the hands of the multitude.

muster

muster |ˈməstər|

verb [ with obj. ]

1 assemble (troops), esp. for inspection or in preparation for battle.

• [ no obj. ] (of troops) come together for inspection or preparation: the cavalrymen mustered beside the other regiments.